Score-card.



R. R. GONDRA.

SCORE CARD.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE15. 1914.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

Smucmtoz R R CoNoRa Humane/t;

THE NORRIS PETERS C0 PHOTOLITHO WASHING TON. 0 cv RUFUS n, CONDRA, or NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

SCORE-CARI).

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

Application filed June 15, 1914. Serial No. 845,266.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUFUs R. CONDRA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Score- Cards, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in score cards and more particularly to a counter which is preferably used in registering counts in playing the game of tennis, the main object of the present invention being the provision of a scorer of the above character which includes a base member having the counts of the game marked thereon and a pointer pivotally mounted upon the base and adapted to move over the counts whereby to indicate the various stages of the game.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the above character which will possess advantages in points of efiiciency and durability, is inexpensive to manufacture and, at the same time, is simple in construction and operation.

\Vith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claim.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure l is a side elevation of a score card constructed in accordance with my invention; and Fig. 2 is an edge elevation.

In the construction of my improved tennis scorer, I provide a base or body memher 1, which is preferably rectangular in form and marked 01f upon one side thereof, are a plurality of radially extended spaces 2, the inner ends of which converge to a point, as shown at 8. The radially projecting lines 4 which form the spaces 2 intersect a semi-circular line 5, the lines 4 extending slightly beyond the semi-circular line 5 to provide the guide lines 6. Connecting the ends of the semi-circular line 5, is a longitudinal line 7 which forms the lowermost portion of the scoring section. It is a well known fact that in scoring in the game of tennis, the terms 15 love, 30

love or love 15 and love 30 are used for calling the number of points made by each player, unless the game reaches an uneven term, when it is called 15 all 30 all and so on up to and inclusive of the numeral 40 from which the game reaches a stage which is known as deuce or advantage-in or advantage-out It will be noted that in arranging the various numerals and terms upon my improved score card, each set is arranged upon opposite sides of the semi-circular line 5, the outer set being arranged between the guide lines 6. These sets, generally indicated by the numeral 8 include all of the various terms used in the scoring of a game of tennis. Pivoted to the base or body 1, at the point 3, in an indicator 9, which is provided at its outer end with an arrow head 10, having a point which, upon rotation of the indicator will be arranged between the lines at in any one of the spaces 2, where it will indicate the standing of the game.

It is a well known fact that in counting in the game of tennis, the side that is-serving is called out first. Therefore, in operating my improved score card, if the serving side makes the first point, the score will stand 15 love and the indicator will be turned to the first space upon the left-hand side of the score card but, on the other hand, if the receiving side makes the first point, the indicator will be turned to the right-hand side, indicating love 15 If the serving side, as stated before, makes the first point, the indicator will be started at the left and the points can be indicated from the lefthand side to the center of the scoring card, until the end of the game, as all of the different stages of a single game can be registered upon either side of the score card. If, on the other hand, the receiving side wins the first point, the indicator will be turned to the right or love 15 and the points of the game indicated from the right-hand side to the center of the card or the point deuce.

As each game is finished, a record of the same can be kept upon the additional card 11, which is pivotally connected to the base or body member 1, by means of a pivot 12 which may be of any suitable construction, so that the card 11 can be swung outwardly away from the base member 1, whereby each of the games can be quickly and readily recorded thereon. This additional card 11 is preferably constructed of" celluloid, so that after each set of games has been played, the numbers thereon may be quickly and readily erased therefrom; It will be noted that the indicator 9 is pivotally mounted upon the base, but does not connect the base with the card 11, said card being connected with the base only by the pivot 12, so that the card can readily be swung outwardly to expose nearly the entire surface thereof.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be readily apparent that I have provided a simple and durable scoring device for use by tennis players, wherein the different stages of the game can be recorded either by spectators or by the umpires. It will be apparent that my improved score card can be manufactured by novelty houses, sporting goods houses and placed upon the market for advertising purposes, as the base or body card 1 is formed of any suitable Weight card-board, whereby it will be noted that the device can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost. It will be noted that this tennis scorer can be manufactured and placed upon the market by dealers in athletic goods and distributed at various tennis tournaments, so that the same can be used by the spectators as well as the umpires and afford a great advertising medium. The device, in itself, is extremely simple in construction and can be manufactured and readily put together with very little trouble. WVhile I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, it will be obvious that various changes in the details of construction and in the proportions may be resorted to for successfully carrying my invention into practice, without sacrificing any of the novel features, or departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim-is:- I A scoring device for the game of tennis comprising a body, an indicator pivotally engaged with said body, said body having inscribed thereon a semi-circular line with the pivot point of the index as its center and having lines radiating from the pivotal point of the indicator and intersecting the semi-circular line and affording separated spaces, said body being also provided in said spaces with the various combination scores of the game of tennis and in substantial duplication, the scores of a single player in both sets of indications being at the same side of the segmental line.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. RUFUS R. CONDRA. Witnesses:

T. B. COBBITT, ARMSTRONG ALLEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of ZPatents, Washington, D. C. 

